Dog Park Planned For Mill Woods

August 01, 2006|By COURTNEY McLEOD; Courant Staff Writer

WETHERSFIELD — A new dog park is scheduled to open soon at Mill Woods Park.

Volunteers have raised $30,000 to fence in almost an acre of Mill Woods for dogs to run off-leash. The parks and recreation department is reviewing contractors' bids, and Kathy Bagley, the director, said she hopes to decide by Friday. The fence should be up by the end of August.

The project is a joint venture between the town and the volunteers. The town donated the land and will pay for refuse removal, while volunteers raised the money and designed the park.

The off-leash romping nook will be tucked away in a secluded, wooded area of Mill Woods. ``We keep saying this would make a real pretty picnic area,'' Bagley said. The park will be split in two, one area for big dogs and another for small dogs.

Response to the project has been overwhelmingly positive, though some residents are concerned about aggressive dogs. ``The park is for dogs that are socialized. It's not for everyone,'' said Kathy Griswold, chairwoman of the volunteer committee.

Then there's the question of picking up after the dogs. ``Peer pressure works really well,'' Bagley said.

The volunteers aren't done raising money. Griswold said she wants to raise an additional $5,000 for amenities, including a brick patio, a walkway through the park and a water supply. Personalized benches and sections of fencing are up for sale, as are the rights to name the dog park. On Aug. 29 there will be an off-leash dog swim at Mill Woods to raise money.